Bessie Mae King

Bessie Mae King was born July 24, 1930, in Oak Grove, Louisiana, to Noah John Smith and Bessie Smith. She died Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 93 years. Bessie was married March 20, 1947, in Oak Grove to William Annerson King. They had made their home in Owasso, Oklahoma, in 1965. Bessie spent much of her working life as a machinist with Continental Industries in Tulsa. She was a longtime faithful member of Rejoice Free Will Baptist Church in Owasso. She enjoyed a variety of pastimes including reading, but especially quilting. She enjoyed being around her Sunday School Ladies. Bessie was known for always doing good things for people. She dearly loved her family and was especially fond of her role as “Mimi” to her grandchildren. Those she leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include: Children; Betty Reitz, of Muskogee, Oklahoma Frank L. King and wife Veda, of Turpin, Oklahoma Cathy Campbell, of Owasso, Oklahoma Ruth Newton and Dave Newton, of Skiatook, Oklahoma Helen Guse and husband Mike, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma William King and wife Kelly, of Ennis, Texas Grandchildren; Tammy Pitts and husband Brian, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma France Reitz, Jr., and wife Christianne, of Muskogee, Oklahoma Dustin Post, of Turpin, Oklahoma Montana Johnson and husband Jason, of Hugoton, Kansas Wyatt King and Crystal, of San Antonio, Texas Danette Todd, of Catoosa, Oklahoma David Elkins and wife Laura, of Irvine, California Leslie Seaton and Kevin Leverette, of Oologah, Oklahoma Christian Campbell, of Owasso, Oklahoma Michael Taylor and wife Heather, of Owasso, Oklahoma James Newton and wife Heather, of Grand Forks, North Dakota Jessica Grissom and husband Marshall, of Talala, Oklahoma William Sams and wife Kristin, of Andover, Kansas LaShonda Deatherage, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Tony Guse, of Albuquerque, New Mexico Lindsay Horn and husband Aaron, of Hockley, Texas Nick King and wife Jen, of Houston, Texas 52 Great Grandchildren and Nine Great Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William King, daughter, Brenda Elkins and granddaughter, Franka Post. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Rejoice Church in Owasso with Pastor Leonard Pirtle officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The family requests memorial contribution be made in Bessie’s memory to the Rejoice Foundation, 13413 East 106th Street North, Owasso, Oklahoma, 74055, or at https://rejoicechurch.com/rejoice-foundation. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com